Russians have long been ravenous consumers of Hollywood movies, but with anti-western rhetoric escalating as the conflict in Ukraine develops, politicians believe it is time to outlaw "anti-Russian" material.

Batu Khasikov, a member of the culture committee at Russia's Federation Council, the upper chamber of parliament, told the Interfax news agency: "Specific requirements should be introduced for film exhibition in the country, and movies where everything related to Russia is overtly demonised or shown in a primitive and silly way should be banned from theatrical distribution."

He said such films would include those in which, "at the screenwriter's and director's whim, Russians are portrayed as a threat to humanity", though he did not mention specific titles.

If introduced, the ban would affect new films hoping for a licence to show in Russian cinemas. The move is relatively risk-free for Moscow, because there is little chance of US retaliation: Russian films are not widely consumed in North America. Nonetheless, new laws could potentially result in Russia joining China as a nation where Hollywood fare must pass strict guidelines.

In the meantime, Moscow has published a list of films that it considers are safe for patriotic citizens to view. It includes Cabaret, The Last Emperor and Titanic, as well as Francis Ford Coppola's anti-war epic, Apocalypse Now.